GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES HEFTY WATER BILL

How does this sound for the nightmare of the month? You open your residential water bill and the total charge is $50,226.59. That bad dream became a reality for one Bond County customer. Scott Mosby of St. Louis owns property on Governor Bond lake and the water line to his boat dock sprang a leak and put over 5 million gallons of treated City water back into the lake resulting in the $50 thousand plus dollar water bill. His bill ended up the topic of conversation at last night's Greenville City Council meeting. City Manager Dave Willey recommended the City adjust the bill to consider only the cost of labor, electric power and chemicals used to treat the water. That rough calculation came to about $7,000 dollars. After much discussion the Council voted 4 to 1 to adjust the bill to the $7,000 figure. In other action the Council held a public meeting on its proposed smoking ban and heard pro and con from both sides of the issue. The Council seems ready to enact a smoking ban in public places provided the State of Illinois doesn't pass a statewide ban.

The Council passed the recommendations of the Planning Commission that will mandate that owners of private sewer systems within a thousand feet of Governor Bond Lake must have their systems inspected on an annual basis. The Council passed the Tourism Committee recommendation to invest $25,000 dollars this year in the American Farm Heritage Museum provided the museum obtains matching funds. They also passed the Zoning Board's recommendation to allow a variance so Anthony Supply can construct a new building on their property. You can see the entire open session of Tuesday night's meeting tonight on Greenville Cable Channel 3 at 6PM.

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KPD PASSES BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

The Kingsbury Park Board held a public hearing Monday night for comment on its proposed Fiscal Year 2007 budget. There were no members of the public in attendance and the hearing was closed. Later that evening during their regular monthly session, the KPD board approved the budget and appropriations ordinance which calls for $1.28 million in expenditures and a projected $1.34 million in revenue.

Warren Kennedy asked the park board several questions about the status of cleaning a drainage ditch under Route 140 at Patriot’s Park. Kennedy had recently lost a law suit against the KPD that involved drainage and alleged damage to his property that adjoins the park on the west side. Board president David Barbey confirmed that the Illinois Department of Transportation will be cleaning out the ditch. Kennedy additionally asked if repairs would be made to his fence and the board responded that the problem will be resolved.

KPD Director Jerry Sauerwein said he is attempting to schedule a meeting with the Greenville City Council on the Dewey Street issue. This on-going discussion revolves around the ownership of Dewey Street at Jaycee Park. A suit was filed in Bond County court but has been continued several times with no resolution.

The park district is still researching locations and designs for a proposed skateboard park. In other recreation news, the flag football league kicks off this Saturday. The board also instructed Sauerwein to look into opening the pool on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Traditionally, it has opened on Memorial Day Monday.

KEYESPORT VILLAGE BOARD APPROVES ROAD MAINTENANCE PLAN

The Keyesport Village Board met on Monday night and discussed hiring a new attorney. The board Okayed around $14,000 in road maintenance to be done this summer. Mayor Ken Carver said that about two miles worth of road would be worked on this year. The new computer system that the committee approved purchasing for the town hall last month has been installed and is working fine.

There was continued discussion over the proposed O'Bryan Resort project by the Keyesport Village Board. A plat of the resort needs to be recorded in order for the business to be annexed into Keyesport's Tif District.

A date for spring cleanup for the town has not been set. The board is looking at dates in mid May.

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ATTORNEY GENERAL INVESTIGATING AMEREN'S MARKETING

Attorney General Madigan announced last week that she will be investigating Ameren's advertising and marketing of its all-electric discount program. Consumers have alleged that they were enticed into signing up for the discount program, which involves using electricity as one's only source of power, as opposed to relying on a mix of natural gas, propane and electricity. Now they are finding their electric rates are skyrocketing. In addition, these customers lost their all-electric discounts with Ameren in January.

Ameren has known as early as 2005 that it intended to eliminate the all-electric discount program. Madigan's focus is on determining whether Ameren promoted the program after it knew the discount would be eliminated. She commented that they are gathering the facts and will soon decide the next appropriate step.

If the evidence shows a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, then courts may award injunctive relief to curtail future behavior and penalties of up to $50,000 per violation.

UNIT 2 SPORTS AWARDS HANDED OUT FOR BASKETBALL

Comets and Lady Comets basketball players and cheerleaders were honored Tuesday night during the annual winter sports awards. The evening also marked the final awards program for Athletic Director Larry Stewart who is retiring.

The boys basketball teams had a great year as the varsity finished 18-11, the JV 15-3, and the freshman 14-4. The varsity team tied a school record as twice they held opponents to zero points scored in a quarter. They also set a new school record for lowest defensive average of points allowed for the season at 45.7. Josh Patrick also established school records in 3-point attempts with 222 and 3-pointers made with 80. Patrick is an IBCA All-State Honorable Mention selection while Bryan Atchison was a Special Mention selection. Atchison was voted team MVP and led the squad in assists. He also enters the Comets Hall of Fame with 750 career points. Other season leaders were Kyle Dannaman, Free Throws and Jason Mollett, Rebounds. Mollett and Atchison were co-winners of the Defensive award.

The Lady Comets were 5-22 on the season but won the consolation trophy at the Riverton Tournament. Award winners were Jamie Hoag, Assists; Niqui Reinhard, Defensive; Ashley Shellman, Most Improved; and Monique Williams, Offensive, Rebounds, and Free Throws.

Cheerleaders honored included Kristin Lohman, Most Improved; Liz Todd, Spirit; Jasmine Braggs, Ms. Comet; and Lauren Brewer, MVP.

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OBITUARIES

JAMES HUBERT CANTRILL

James Hubert Cantrill, 57 of Greenville, passed away Tuesday morning at his residence. Memorial services for 57 year-old James Hubert Cantrill will be held Thursday at 6PM at the Young Funeral Home in Greenville. Friends may call Thursday after 4PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions to the Shriner's Hospital.

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ROTHA A. DOTHAGER

Rotha A. Dothager, age 91 of Greenville, passed away Monday, March 12, 2007 at 10:37 p.m. at the Greenville Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Greenville Free Methodist Church with Rev. Herbert H. Coates and Rev. Willard Frost officiating. Interment will follow in Noffsinger Cemetery. For those who desire, memorials may be made to the Greenville Free Methodist Church or the Pittsburg Free Methodist Church. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Donnell - Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville.

Rotha Agnes Kern, the daughter of Lawrence Everett and Maude Benefiel Kern, was born on August 1, 1915 in Seminary Township, Fayette County. Her parents ran a grocery store in Pittsburg where she grew up. They later farmed and she attended the rural Fayette County Schools including Shiloh School. She graduated from Vandalia High School. Following her marriage they lived on the farm west of Pittsburg where she raised her family of eight children. Rotha and Alfred Louis Dothager were united in marriage on June 17, 1933 at the courthouse in Vandalia, They enjoyed over 58 years together before his death on March 19, 1992. She moved to Greenville in 1999.

Rotha is survived by seven of their eight children; Floyd (Bonnie) Dothager of Vine Grove, Kentucky, Ron (Judy) Dothager of Peoria, Carroll of rural Mulberry Grove, Alan of rural Mulberry Grove, Joyce Jolliff of Centralia, Jean, Mrs. Jim Roberts of St.Louis, and Kathy, Mrs. Tom Fuson of Peoria. She has 19 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 4 great great grand children. Also surviving are three of her 11 brothers and sisters: Marie Dothager of Greenville, Betty Mercer of Vandalia, and Eleanor Bearden of Girard. Rotha is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, their daughter Judy, Mrs. William Siebert, 4 grandchildren, brothers Earnest, Floyd, Lloyd, Dale, Bill, Calvin Kern and sisters; Edith Knebel, and Hazel Hall.

Rotha was a member of the Pittsburg Free Methodist Church for many years and now a member of the Greenville Free Methodist Church. Memorials to the Pittsburg Free Methodist Church or the Greenville Free Methodist Church.

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